CFL East Preview: Revamped Tiger-Cats have tough path to Grey Cup aspirations

No team in the CFL has as much pressure on them to meet expectations as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who will be counting on some major additions to get the team back into a contending position.

The franchise has not won a championship since 1999, the longest-active Grey Cup drought, but has had its chances to get over the hump. This season there is additional pressure on the Tiger-Cats to reach the Grey Cup as it will be played in Hamilton.

The biggest challenge for Hamilton will be avoiding a poor start to the season. In 2022, they didn't pick up their first win until Week 6 after an 0-4 start.

The CFL schedule makers didn't do the Tiger-Cats any favours by giving them the Blue Bombers in the first game of the season. At the same time, it would be a good measuring stick matchup for Hamilton who have a roster capable of being a Grey Cup contender.

It won't be an easy road for the Tiger-Cats as the competition in the CFL's East Division has improved over the years.

Here's a look at the East teams in order of predicted finish.

Last season: 11-7, first in East Division, beat Winnipeg to win Grey Cup.

Head coach: Ryan Dinwiddie (20-12 in two seasons in CFL, all with Toronto. Has won one Grey Cup as head coach)

Starting quarterback: Chad Kelly (Entering second season in CFL, all with Toronto).

The skinny

Toronto is looking to avoid a Grey Cup hangover and show that they are capable of being a consistent championship contender.

The biggest question entering the season is whether or not Kelly can handle the keys to the offence as he takes over for McLeod Bethel-Thompson as the starting quarterback. The last time Kelly went into a season as his team's starter was back in college when he was with Ole Miss in 2016 but Toronto is confident in Kelly's abilities and will be tailoring their offence to make use of his mobility.

Fortunately for Kelly, the Argos were able to bring back a majority of their offence including receivers Kurleigh Gittens Jr., DaVaris Daniels and Markeith Ambles. Toronto also has strong depth at running back with Andrew Harris, who is entering his final season, and A.J. Ouellette, who made some crucial plays in the Argonauts' Grey Cup win.

On defence, the team lost some key contributors in Ja'Gared Davis, Chris Edwards and Jamal Peters but did make some key additions by signing Adarius Pickett and Folarin Orimolade while also trading for Jordan Williams.

Last season: 8-10, third in East Division, lost to Montreal in CFL East semifinal.

Head coach: Orlondo Steinauer (31-19 in three seasons, all with Hamilton.) 

Starting quarterback: Bo Levi Mitchell (Entering 11th CFL season in CFL, first with Hamilton, two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player, two Grey Cups with Calgary).

The skinny

The Tiger-Cats have a lot riding on this season and the player with the most pressure on him to perform is Bo Levi Mitchell. The former Stampeders starter is looking to prove that he has plenty left in the tank after Calgary decided to go in a different direction.

Hamilton was very active in revamping their offence with James Butler, Joel Figueroa and Duke Williams among the new faces. One of the more important additions to the offence comes on the sidelines with former Grey Cup-winning coach Scott Milanovich joining the staff as a senior assistant.

The Tiger-Cats overhauled their defence by bringing in several new faces including Jonathan Kongbo, Ja'Gared Davis, Canadian Kwaku Boateng, Jameer Thurman and Chris Edwards. Returning for another chance to win a title in Hamilton are Simoni Lawrence, Ted Laurent, Tunde Adeleke and Richard Leonard.

Last season:  9-9, Second in East Division, lost to Toronto in East Final.

Head coach: Jason Maas (39-33 in four seasons with Edmonton)

Starting quarterback: Cody Fajardo (Entering sixth season in CFL, first with Montreal)

The skinny

The big story in Montreal was the ownership situation with the CFL taking control of the team in the interim until the league finalized a sale with Pierre Karl Peladeau.

During the period of instability, the team saw top receiver Eugene Lewis head over to Edmonton and also lost Jake Wieneke. The team did add veteran Greg Ellingson to the mix and replaced Trevor Harris with Cody Fajardo at quarterback.

Jason Maas gets another shot to be a head coach and the Alouettes are hoping his familiarity with Fajardo from their time in Saskatchewan gives them a chance to hit the ground running. Fortunately, a revitalized William Stanback provides Montreal with a workhorse in the running game that should take pressure off Fajardo.

Defensively, the Alouettes lost Adarius Pickett in free agency but added veteran linebacker Avery Williams, and Jumal Rolle and Ciante Evans to the secondary.

Last season: 4-14, Fourth in East Division, did not qualify for playoffs.

Head coach: Bob Dyce (First year as head coach)

Starting quarterback: Jeremiah Masoli (Entering 10th season in CFL, second with Ottawa)

The skinny

After spending 19 seasons as an assistant coach, Dyce finally gets his chance to be a head coach in the CFL.

Dyce will have his work cut out for him as he takes over a Redblacks team trying to climb their way out of the CFL basement and win a home game for the first time since 2021.

Unfortunately, quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is still recovering from a knee injury that forced him to miss a majority of last season and won't be ready to start in Week 1. This means Nick Arbuckle will get the start at quarterback with Masoli unable to go.

Dyce brought former Alouettes head coach Khari Jones to help run the offence after he spent last season as a consultant in Hamilton following his dismissal as Montreal's head coach. Joining the team are receivers Lemar Durant and Bralon Addison who have familiarity with general manager Shawn Burke from their time in Hamilton.

Lorenzo Mauldin IV returns after leading the CFL with 17 sacks in 2022 but defensive back Money Hunter will miss significant time with a torn pectoral muscle.